Taking into account the serious interruptions to shipping that become long-lasting as a result of the COVID-19, Tokyo MoU reviewed and revised its relevant guidance in order to cope with the uncertain circumstances.
Tokyo MoU had adopted its COVID-19 guidance for port State Authorities on 12 March, in order to deal with the impact of the outbreak in a pragmatic approach in the region.
The guidance applied pragmatic relaxation on requests for extending periods of service onboard of seafarers, delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits on a case-by-case basis.
In accordance with the guidance, port State Authorities would accept the period of grace for delaying surveys, inspections or audits extended by flag State Administration and/or RO up to three months from the middle of January 2020 (starting of the outbreak of COVID-19).
Noting that no end sign of the situation can be expected at the moment, the guidance is revised to allow port State Authorities to apply the pragmatic relaxation for an appropriate grace period for delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits specific to COVID-19 given to ship by the flag State Administration and/or RO.
The revised guidance will be effective from 15 April 2020.
The guidance may be further reviewed upon any future initiatives IMO/ILO or developments of the situation.
